How to Connect an Xbox One Controller to a Windows PC

To connect an Xbox One controller to a Windows PC, plug it in with a USB cable, or pair it over Bluetooth: press the Xbox button, hold the Pair button for three seconds until the Xbox button flashes rapidly, then on your PC go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth and select Xbox Wireless Controller. You can also use the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, or Xbox Wireless built into some PCs.

This guide covers Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controllers on Windows 11 and Windows 10. It explains which connection to choose, how to tell whether your controller has Bluetooth, all three ways to connect, how to update the controller, and how to switch it back to your console. The steps come from Xbox Support, checked in October 2026.

Which Connection Should You Use?

Xbox Support lists three ways to connect a controller to Windows. Here’s how they differ:

Method	What you need	Good to know
USB cable	A data-capable micro-USB or USB-C cable	Works with any Xbox Wireless Controller. Up to 8 controllers at once.
Xbox Wireless	The Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, or a PC with Xbox Wireless built in	Up to 8 controllers, or 4 with Xbox Chat Headsets attached.
Bluetooth	A Bluetooth-capable controller and PC	Headsets, chatpads and the Stereo Adapter don’t work, and vibration doesn’t work in PC games.

If you play with a headset or want vibration, use USB or Xbox Wireless. If you just want to play without wires and your controller supports Bluetooth, Bluetooth is the quickest option.

Does Your Controller Have Bluetooth?

Older Xbox One controllers don’t have Bluetooth. Xbox Support explains how to tell them apart by looking at the plastic around the Xbox button:

• Bluetooth controller: the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the face of the controller.
• No Bluetooth: the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the top of the controller, where the bumpers are.

If yours doesn’t have Bluetooth, use a USB cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

How to Connect With a USB Cable

1. Plug a micro-USB cable into the top of an Xbox One controller. For an Xbox Series X|S controller, an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 or an Xbox Adaptive Controller, use a USB-C cable. Result: the cable is attached to the controller.
2. Plug the other end into a USB port on your PC. Result: Windows detects the controller.
3. Open a game and test the controls. Result: the controller works in the game.

Use a cable that supports data transfer, not one that only charges. If your PC doesn’t detect the controller after waking from sleep, Xbox Support says to press the Xbox button to turn the controller back on, or unplug it and plug it back in.

How to Connect With Xbox Wireless

Using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows

1. Plug the Xbox Wireless Adapter into your PC. Result: the adapter is ready to pair.
2. Press the Xbox button to turn on the controller. Result: the Xbox button starts flashing.
3. Press and hold the Pair button on the adapter. Result: a small light on the adapter flashes for several seconds.
4. Press and hold the raised Pair button on the top of the controller. Result: the Xbox button flashes faster while it searches, then stays lit when connected.

Xbox Support notes the adapter may not be available in all markets.

Using Xbox Wireless Built Into Your PC

1. Press and hold the Xbox button for 3 seconds to turn on the controller. Result: the Xbox button starts flashing.
2. Press and hold the Pair button on the top of the controller. Result: the Xbox button flashes faster while it searches for a PC.
3. On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device. Result: the Add a device window opens.
4. Select Everything else, then choose Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. Result: the Xbox button stays lit when connected.

How to Connect With Bluetooth

Xbox Support says Bluetooth requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later.

1. Press the Xbox button to turn on the controller. Result: the Xbox button lights up.
2. Press and hold the Pair button for three seconds. Result: the Xbox button flashes rapidly.
3. On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Result: your Bluetooth settings open.
4. Turn on Bluetooth. Result: the switch shows On.
5. Select Add device > Bluetooth (on Windows 10, Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth). Result: your PC searches for devices.
6. Select Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, then Done. Result: the controller is paired.

Xbox Support recommends connecting only one controller at a time over Bluetooth. If an old pairing gets in the way, see how to remove a paired Bluetooth device in Windows and pair again.

Update Your Controller on a PC

Xbox recommends keeping your controller’s firmware up to date. Its update guide says to use the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10 or 11:

1. Install the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store if you don’t have it. Result: the app is ready.
2. Open the Xbox Accessories app. Result: it looks for connected controllers.
3. Connect the controller with a USB cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter. Result: the controller appears. If an update is mandatory, you see Update Required.
4. Install the update. Result: your controller is up to date.

Updating over Bluetooth isn’t supported, so plug in the controller or use the adapter for this step.

Using the Controller With Your Xbox Again

After pairing with a PC, Xbox Support says you must re-sync the controller to your console. Use the wireless sync button or a USB cable.

Xbox Series X|S controllers can switch faster. If the controller is connected to a Bluetooth device, double-press the Pair button to switch to the last Xbox Wireless connection it used. To go back to the Bluetooth device, press and hold the Pair button.

If the Controller Won’t Connect

• Check the cable. A charge-only cable won’t connect. Try a different data cable or USB port.
• Wake the controller. After your PC sleeps, press the Xbox button or replug the cable.
• Check for Bluetooth support. Controllers without Bluetooth won’t show up in the Bluetooth list. Use USB or the adapter.
• Remove and re-pair. Delete the controller from your Bluetooth devices, then pair it again.
• Update the controller. Use the Xbox Accessories app over USB.
• Still stuck? See Xbox Support’s My Xbox controller won’t connect or turn on page.

Once the controller works, you can add a non-Steam game to Steam if you want to launch an installed game through Steam. Test the controls in each game, because not every game supports every button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect more than one Xbox controller to my PC?

Yes. Xbox Support says you can connect up to 8 controllers with USB or Xbox Wireless. Over Bluetooth, it recommends one at a time.

Why doesn’t my controller vibrate on PC?

Xbox Support says vibration doesn’t work in PC games when the controller is connected by Bluetooth. Use USB or Xbox Wireless instead.

Why doesn’t my headset work?

Headsets, chatpads and the Xbox Stereo Adapter don’t work over Bluetooth. Connect with USB or Xbox Wireless.

Do I need to install drivers?

Xbox Support doesn’t list a separate driver step. Plug in or pair the controller as described above, and keep Windows updated.

Related: how to connect AirPods Pro to an Acer laptop. If the controller works but Xbox app games will not start on your PC, see how to install Gaming Services on Windows 11.